RoadworksSlovenia

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26. Roadworks

Roadworks are construction, maintenance, repair or inspection activities carried out on or beside a road. They may temporarily change the road layout, lane widths, speed limits, priority, permitted directions and facilities for pedestrians or cyclists.

Drivers must follow the temporary signs, traffic lights, barriers, road markings and instructions from authorised personnel. They should reduce speed, increase their following distance and remain prepared for narrow lanes, stopped traffic, workers, machinery and sudden changes in the route.

Roadworks
Roadworks warning sign in Hrašče. (Postojna, Slovenia)
Wikimedia.org • Doremo • CC BY-SA
What are roadworks?

Roadworks are construction, maintenance, repair or inspection activities carried out on or beside a road.

How can you recognise roadworks?

They may be indicated by a roadworks warning sign, cones, barriers, temporary markings, flashing lights, machinery or workers.

Does a roadworks sign impose a speed limit?

No, not by itself. A separate temporary or permanent speed-limit sign establishes the legal maximum speed.

Must you drive below the speed limit?

Yes, when necessary. Narrow lanes, workers, machinery, poor surfaces, congestion or limited visibility may require a substantially lower speed.

Are temporary traffic signs legally binding?

Yes. Correctly installed temporary signs must be obeyed for as long as they are in force.

Which road markings should you follow?

Follow the temporary markings that guide traffic through the works. Local law determines how they take priority over older permanent markings.

Must you obey temporary traffic lights?

Yes. Stop at the line or signal when required and do not proceed until the applicable light permits it.

Must you obey road workers directing traffic?

Obey instructions from workers or controllers who are legally authorised to regulate traffic. Their signals may temporarily replace the ordinary traffic arrangement.

What should you do when a lane closes?

Observe the signs and lane arrows, check mirrors and blind spots and merge safely into the continuing lane.

What is zipper merging?

Zipper merging means that vehicles in an ending or blocked lane merge alternately with vehicles in the continuing lane near the narrowing during congested traffic.

Should you merge early?

This depends on local law and traffic conditions. Where zipper merging applies during congestion, use both lanes and merge near the narrowing. In flowing traffic, change lanes when a safe gap is available.

Who has priority when your lane is obstructed?

Without another traffic control, the driver whose route is obstructed commonly has to yield before moving into the path of approaching or adjacent traffic.

Can temporary lights control alternating traffic?

Yes. Temporary signals may allow only one direction at a time through a narrow section.

May you enter when the exit is blocked?

No. Do not enter a narrow section, intersection or temporary crossing when congestion may leave you stopped inside it.

May you move cones or barriers?

No. Do not move, pass around or ignore traffic-control equipment unless an authorised person instructs you to do so.

May you overtake in roadworks?

Only when signs and markings permit it and sufficient width and visibility remain. Overtaking is often unsafe in narrow or shifted lanes.

May you stop or park in roadworks?

Only where temporary and permanent signs permit it. Do not obstruct workers, machinery, emergency access or temporary pedestrian and cycle routes.

What should you watch for near workers?

Expect workers to enter the road, machinery to move or reverse and vehicles to leave the worksite. Reduce speed and leave generous space.

What should cyclists do at roadworks?

Follow the signed temporary cycle route or lane. Check surrounding traffic carefully before leaving a closed or obstructed bike path.

What should pedestrians do?

Use the designated temporary walkway or crossing and follow barriers, signs, signals and instructions from authorised personnel.

Why should you increase your following distance?

Traffic may brake suddenly because of queues, lane changes, machinery, debris or changing signals. Additional distance provides more time to react.

What should you do if your vehicle breaks down in roadworks?

Move to the safest available location where possible, activate the hazard warning lights and contact assistance. Avoid standing in a live or narrow traffic lane.

Do ordinary traffic rules still apply?

Yes. Rules concerning safe speed, following distance, signalling, priority and vulnerable road users continue to apply unless a lawful temporary arrangement changes them.

1 Slovenia 2 Motorway 3 Zone 4 Speed limit 5 Bike path 6 Tunnel 7 Pedestrian zone 8 Speed bump 9 Customs 10 One-way traffic 11 Slope 12 Bus lane 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Roundabout 16 Priority road 17 Road narrowing 18 Pedestrian crossing 19 Railway crossing 20 Mandatory direction 21 School area 22 Crossing animals 23 Rockfall 24 Chevron 25 Wrong-way driving 26 Roadworks 27 Height limit 28 Weight limit 29 Traffic lights 30 Pedestrian lights 31 Traffic mirror 32 International border 33 Cycling route 34 Parking 35 No stopping 36 Parking disc 37 Reversing 38 Emergency exit 39 City limit 40 Licence plate 41 Charging station 42 Dangers 43 Dip 44 Pedestrian 45 Cyclist 46 Truck 47 Bus 48 Police 49 Ambulance 50 Taxi 51 European emission standard 52 Pothole 53 Path 54 Particulates 55 Air pollution 56 Rush hour 57 Road code 58 Street gutter 59 Cargo bike 60 Forestry vehicle 61 Construction vehicle 62 Semi-trailer truck 63 Trolleybus 64 Speed pedelec 65 Delivery vehicle 66 Idling 67 Tow truck 68 Four-wheel drive 69 No vehicles 70 Bicycle 71 Motorcycle equipment 72 Rail track 73 Caravan 74 Trailer 75 Tow hitch 76 Fire truck 77 Siren 78 Convoy 79 Emergency vehicle lighting 80 Agricultural machinery 81 Electric bicycle 82 Electric vehicle 83 Pedelec 84 Quadricycle 85 Microcar 86 All-terrain vehicle 87 Van 88 Recreational vehicle 89 Scooter 90 Trikke 91 Personal mobility device 92 Skateboard 93 Segway 94 Kick scooter 95 Roller skates 96 Mailman 97 Hitchhiker 98 Toddler 99 Child 100 Disability ...